The Kansas City Chiefs had opportunities to move out of the first round, but Felix Anudike-Uzomah’s name was still on the board.
That proved too good to pass up for the defending Super Bowl champions, and they selected the Kansas State edge rusher with the 31st and final pick of the first round in Thursday’s NFL Draft at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo.
“I think he’ll be able to help us right away,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “I think he can give you good honest snaps in both places.”
The Chiefs had a need along the defensive line as they let veteran Frank Clark go in free agency, and the 6-foot-3, 252-pound Anudike-Uzomah could fill that role. Last year, the Chiefs drafted defensive end George Karlaftis in the first round, and with the addition of Anudike-Uzomah, the Chiefs could have a formidable pass-rushing combo on the edge to go with defensive tackle Chris Jones.
Anudike-Uzomah grew up in nearby Lee’s Summit and then starred at K-State. Anudike-Uzomah was the Big 12 defensive player of the year last year as a junior and had 46 tackles, 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
The Chiefs also had needs at wide receiver and offensive line, but Reid said with the loss of Clark, they were too thin at defensive line.
“We start there and the offensive line and make sure we’re in good position on both,” Reid said. “And we thought we could use another defensive lineman either interior or edge rusher and he fits into that.”
For the first time in history, the Super Bowl champion’s city hosted the NFL Draft. And there was certainly a sea of red as about 125,000 fans attended the first-round festivities — many of them Chiefs fans who hung around until the last pick of the night when Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt walked on stage and announced the pick to thunderous applause.
“I think it’s neat,” Reid said of drafting a local kid, and Kansas City hosting the draft. “And the draft’s right here in Kansas City. I know the people down at the draft were excited. We had the TV on, and they were fired up about it. Kansas State and Kansas City, and the draft, that’s real positive. I was really proud of our fans today. They showed up like crazy. That was a neat deal.”
